IELTS Writing for Teachers: How to Fix Unclear pronouns and reference words

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'.

At a glance

For: Teachers
Problem: Unclear pronouns and reference words
Scoring criterion: Coherence and Cohesion
Task affected: Task 1 and Task 2
IELTS test: Academic or General Training (check your requirement)
Typical effort: a few days
First step: Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.

Why this happens to teachers

Unclear reference breaks the chain between sentences. Writers know what 'it' means, but the reader may see two possible nouns, and cohesion suffers when referencing is faulty or ambiguous.

Why this affects teachers: classroom explanations are simple and repeated for clarity, which can read as repetitive in a written argument.

Habitual repetition for emphasis shows up as repeated linkers and re-stated ideas.

A strength to build on: Experience of explaining ideas step by step supports clear paragraph logic.

Fix it in four steps

Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.
Draw an arrow to the noun each one refers to. If you cannot find one, rewrite the sentence.
Replace a bare 'this' with 'this' plus a noun when two things were mentioned before.
Vary reference with synonyms only when the meaning is exact.

Before and after

Before

Governments and companies invest in research and this can improve it.

After

Governments and companies invest in research, and this investment can improve public health.

Ten-minute drill: Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun.

Questions and answers

How can teachers fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'. Habitual repetition for emphasis shows up as repeated linkers and re-stated ideas.

How long does it take teachers to fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Most learners need a few days. Marking and planning fill evenings, so one focused weekly timed essay plus daily micro-drills works best.

Is it safe to repeat the same noun?

A little repetition is better than ambiguity. Use pronouns for clear references and repeat or substitute a noun when a pronoun could mean two things.

What is the most common referencing error?

A bare 'this' that follows a sentence with several ideas. Adding a noun after it usually fixes the problem.

What does a good practice drill look like for teachers?

Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun. Marking and planning fill evenings, so one focused weekly timed essay plus daily micro-drills works best.

How can teachers tell they have fixed unclear pronouns and reference words?

A reader can follow every reference word to a single noun without re-reading.

What should teachers know about their IELTS Writing target?

Teacher registration and overseas teaching routes usually set a minimum IELTS score. Check the specific board or employer, because the test type and score vary.

Should teachers practise this on Task 1, Task 2 or both?

It shows up in both tasks. Fix it in Task 2 first, because Task 2 carries about twice the weight of Task 1, then check Task 1 with the same checklist. Experience of explaining ideas step by step supports clear paragraph logic.

Can an AI checker help teachers with unclear pronouns and reference words?

An AI checker can show where this pattern appears in your own essay and which criterion it affects, which makes the fix concrete. It gives a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score, so use it to choose the next revision, rewrite, and check again. The first check on this site is free.

Check your own essay

See where unclear pronouns and reference words appears in your own writing and which criterion it affects, then rewrite the weakest paragraph.

Run a free first check

Feedback is a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score. Last reviewed 2026-11-11. Score requirements change, so confirm them with the organisation that will read your result.